Phytochemicals in Medicinal Plants
Biodiversity, Bioactivity and Drug Discovery
The global significance of phytochemicals in medicinal plants has grown, highlighting their diverse bioactivities, from wound healing to anti-inflammatory and anti-viral effects. This work outlines the complex scientific journey of systematically identifying and classifying these plants through molecular profiling and nanoparticle production, ultimately aimed at applications like cancer or HIV treatment. The content is organized into several parts: PART A addresses biodiversity and traditional knowledge, covering habitats, distribution, threats, conservation, and indigenous practices. PART B focuses on phytochemical constituents and characterization techniques, detailing alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, taxol, terpenoids, steroids, phenolic compounds, and essential oils. PART C explores medicinal bioactivity, including anti-cancer and anti-HIV activities, as well as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-viral effects. PART D discusses nanotechnology, specifically the synthesis of nano-materials from plant extracts and their characterization and activity. PART E delves into pharmacology and drug discovery, emphasizing the role of plant phytochemicals in drug development, extraction, production, and system pharmacology.
